Today's special session may tackle split in Jordan

It's looking grim for voters to have a say in whether to split the Granite School District, although legislators in a special session today might get around the current process to free up a vote in Jordan District.

Lawmakers also will approve a school building "equalization" bill, regardless of actions by the Salt Lake County Council, legislative leaders say.

Besides the school district-split law, the 104 part-time lawmakers will also vote on making the torture of animals a felony and authorizing the state to place more inmates in the Garfield County Jail, a move that would allow county officials to enlarge that facility.

House Speaker Greg Curtis, R-Sandy, said he had received private assurances that sooner or later, the Salt Lake County Council will act to put the possible east/west splits of both Granite and Jordan school districts on the November ballot. "We're counting on (council members') good word," he said Monday.

On Tuesday, however, the council voted down a proposal to put the Jordan split on the ballot. The council didn't even discuss a possible split of the Granite District. Both issues, however, will be debated again Thursday during a special council meeting.

"Granite is a no-go," councilman Joe Hatch said. "Granite has so many problems, it is not doable in the short term."

Several Democratic council members said the only way to get their vote is for lawmakers to approve a districtwide, not county- or statewide school construction equalization bill. Hatch said a districtwide equalization plan would balance the burden of school construction costs in both the new and remaining districts left over after a split.

Sen. Carlene Walker, R-Cottonwood Heights, said Tuesday that she had understood that the county would follow through with putting the issue on the ballot, because of the equalization bill, which would ensure that west-siders won't get hurt in a district split. "That was the deal," she said.

Hatch insists there was no such deal. "I would like to know who the legislators spoke to, if they thought they had a deal," he said.

Walker said she was frustrated and disappointed in the county, saying the county's action Tuesday could fuel another bill to bypass county approval for the Jordan District, at least.